Pembroke House’s new copywriter, Nikita Quarshie, reflects on her experience at the AGM that took place on the 14th November 2024.
My new role as a copywriter for Pembroke House coincided with the organisation’s annual general meeting (AGM). While this may not sound like the most exciting of introductions to the team, I got to see first hand what the organisation does best. I discovered that the yearly obligation was really another chance to bring their diverse community together to eat, reconnect and share with each other.
As residents, colleagues and friends of the charity poured into the Upper Hall at 80 Tatum Street, they hugged, shook hands or waved across the room, mouthing a promise to catch up later. The friendly energy spread through the room as we listened to and saw the evidence of the past year’s activities.
I was first drawn to the colourful quilt made by community members and the artist Birungi Kawooya, which was draped on one side of the room. Close by was a mural co-created by members of the Walworth Living Room with another artist, Jacob V Joyce. Both creations were made as part of the Social Model of Health programme, and explored how art and creativity can inspire broader explorations of health.
The sprawling Walworth Food Map system stood across the room, and showcased a project by the Neighbourhood Food Model to connect “food lovers”- people that grow, supply, and cook food in the neighbourhood.
We heard examples of incredible connections such as the story of Milo, a local food grower and chef who had harvested a vegetable called Archucha and was curious about its traditional use. The mapping project connected Milo to Amigos, a Colombian restaurant in the area, which was surprised to discover that it could be grown in the UK, and happily prepared a meal with it.
Another highlight of the evening was listening to three young performers from the Pembroke Academy of Music (PAM) play to a delighted and proud audience. Performing in front of a crowd is never easy, yet they impressed us with their talent and confidence!
As we moved through the agenda, a shared understanding seemed to be that the most important part of the evening, the part true to the spirit of Pembroke House, was the meal we would all eat together. Pembroke House’s resident superstar chef Samar cooked a delicious aubergine, chickpea and sweet potato curry that had many going up for seconds.
While eating together was a highlight, it was still important to listen to what Pembroke House had done, achieved and learnt over the past year. We also heard about what the struggles had been and still are- the most prominent being a lack of funding and rising costs. The organisation relies on the generosity and sustained contribution of donors, so please do consider supporting us here.
Nevertheless hopeful, and looking towards the future, the team mapped out its strategy to connect, act, grow and share. Next year, for example, the Walworth Living Room will reopen, becoming the perfect setting to put these commitments into practice.
By the end of evening, I felt like I understood my job as a copywriter much more clearly. There is a wealth of stories at Pembroke House that are continuously told and exchanged, passed on and learnt from. I’m excited to share them with you over the next year!
You can read this year’s annual report here.